tissue

[tish-oo, tis-yoo]

noun

1. Biology.,  an aggregate of similar cells and cell products forming a definite kind of structural material with a specific function, in a multicellular organism.

2. tissue paper.

3. any of several kinds of soft gauzy papers used for various purposes.

   cleansing tissue; toilet tissue.

4. an interwoven or interconnected series or mass.

   a tissue of falsehoods.

5. a piece of thin writing paper on which carbon copies are made.

6. a woven fabric, especially one of light or gauzy texture, originally woven with gold or silver.

   a blouse of a delicate tissue.

verb (used with object)

tissued, tissuing 

1. to remove (a cosmetic or cream) with a facial tissue (often followed byoff ).

   Tissue all cosmetics off the face before going to bed.

2. to weave, especially with threads of gold and silver.

tissue

/ ˈtɪʃuː, ˈtɪsjuː /

noun

1. a part of an organism consisting of a large number of cells having a similar structure and function

   connective tissue

   nerve tissue

2. a thin piece of soft absorbent paper, usually of two or more layers, used as a disposable handkerchief, towel, etc

3. See tissue paper

4. an interwoven series

   a tissue of lies

5. a woven cloth, esp of a light gauzy nature, originally interwoven with threads of gold or silver

verb

1. rare,  to weave into tissue

2. to decorate or clothe with tissue or tissue paper

tissue

1. A large mass of similar cells that make up a part of an organism and perform a specific function. The internal organs and connective structures (including bone and cartilage) of vertebrates, and cambium, xylem, and phloem in plants are made up of different types of tissue.

Other Word Forms

• tissual adjective
• tissuey adjective
• intertissued adjective
• untissued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tissue¹

1325–75; Middle English tissew, variant of tissu < Middle French, Old French, noun use of past participle of tistre to weave < Latin texere

Word History and Origins

Origin of tissue¹

C14: from Old French tissu woven cloth, from tistre to weave, from Latin texere

Example Sentences

Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges – the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord – and it is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

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It's made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to detect harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria, and help the body fight them off.

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X-rays confirmed "soft tissue damage" to his knee and wrist.

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Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of this and other respiratory illnesses.

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"Someone wrote their number on a tissue the other day and I was like, 'Oh no, you're just not my type'," she guffaws.

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Related Words

• balance 
• character 
• composition 
• consistency 
• fabric 
• feeling 
• makeup 
• nature 
• pattern 
• quality 
• sense 
• smoothness www.thesaurus.com
• structure 
• surface 
• taste 
• touch